How Long Does It Take Spray Paint to Dry

By Deirdre Mundorf | Updated Sep 5, 2023 9:15 AM

Solved! How Long Does It Take for Spray Paint to Dry?

Find out how long spray paint needs to dry, so you can move on with the next step in your painting project.

By Deirdre Mundorf | Updated Sep 5, 2023 9:15 AM

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Q: I found an old table and chair set at a thrift store, but the finish is scratched up and I’m not a huge fan of the current color. I’d like to spray paint the set to give it new life and help it match my dining room decor, but I’m not sure how long I should wait between applying each coat of paint. How long does it take for spray paint to dry?

A: “How long does spray paint take to dry?” is a common question that doesn’t have a simple answer. Even when you choose the best spray paint for your project, a number of variables can impact dry time, including the material type, the type of paint, and even the humidity and temperature. Additionally, there is a difference between paint being cured (100 percent dry) and just dry to the touch. You can apply additional coats of paint after just a few minutes, but it can take hours for the paint to cure and be fully dry. In many cases, the package instructions on the spray paint you’re using will offer the most reliable information to help you successfully complete a project. Continue reading to learn some general information about how long spray paint takes to dry and some other spray painting tips to help you plan out different projects.

It depends what you’re spray painting.

When you’re asking, “How long does it take spray paint to dry?” the answer can vary greatly depending on the type of surface you’re painting. For example, if you’re spray painting furniture made from metal, the drying time will be different than if you’re spray painting a wooden sign. Generally speaking, smoother and nonporous surfaces dry more quickly than their rough and porous counterparts. Here are some estimated dry times for different surface types:

• Metal: Paint dry time for metal is typically lower than for other materials. Thin coats of spray paint on metal can be dry to the touch after only 10 minutes. However, it can take up to 24 hours for the paint to fully cure.

• Plastic: Spray paint takes about 30 minutes to feel dry to the touch on plastic surfaces. If you can touch the surface without getting any paint on your hands or leaving any impression on it, then the paint has cured. Allowing 24 hours for the paint to cure on plastic items before using them is a good idea.

• Wood: The length of time needed for spray paint to dry on wood varies more than for other surface types and depends on the type of paint, the thickness of each layer, and the temperature in the room. In most cases, however, spray paint on wood should be dry to the touch after about an hour; but again the paint may need up to 24 hours to fully cure.

The paint formula plays a factor.

How long for spray paint to dry can also vary based on the type of paint you use. Polyurethane and epoxy spray paints dry the fastest. After about 5 minutes the surface should be dry to the touch, and after only an hour it should be fully dry.

Lacquer spray paints are made with thermoplastic polymers that will offer a surface-dry feeling after just a few minutes. However, for lacquer paints to completely dry, you’ll need to wait approximately 3 hours.

Enamel and latex paints take the longest to dry. These paint types may require up to 8 hours to be fully dry.

Air temperature and humidity can affect how long it takes for spray paint to dry.

The temperature in the space where you are working will also impact paint dry times. Generally speaking, warmer temperatures are better for helping spray paint dry more quickly. Spray paint in cold weather, especially in below-freezing temperatures, can freeze or have its consistency negatively impacted. In most cases, spray painting in an indoor or outdoor space with a temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit will yield the best results.

The humidity of the space is another important factor to consider. High humidity levels will lead to increased drying times for all material types. For best results and faster drying times, work in a low-humidity space.

How to Make Spray Paint Dry Faster

While there are a number of variables that can impact how long spray paint takes to dry, you can take steps to help the paint dry more quickly.

Apply thin coats.

Thin coats of paint dry quicker than thicker coats. Rather than over-spraying to fully cover a surface, allow the first pass to dry for a few minutes, then spray some more. Applying thin coats of paint can also prevent the spray paint from running or pooling on the item.

Reduce humidity in the air.

As we shared above, spray paint takes longer to dry in high-humidity spaces. Taking measures to decrease the humidity before spray painting, such as using a dehumidifier or keeping the windows closed, can be effective. If you are planning on painting outside, check the weather forecast and avoid painting on humid days.

Place a fan nearby.

Placing a fan close to the objects you spray paint can also help speed up dry times. Fans provide increased air circulation, which allows for faster evaporation and shorter drying times. However, if using a fan, make sure the area is free of dust or dirt to avoid blowing debris on your freshly painted surfaces.

Turn up the heat.

One more tip for how to dry paint fast is to raise the temperature in the room. Consider turning up the thermostat when painting indoors, using a blow dryer over smaller surfaces, or placing painted items out in the warm sun to dry.

How Long Does It Take Spray Paint to Dry?

Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management.

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

Spray paint is a type of aerosol paint that comes in an easy-to-use can. Just point the can at the target surface and press down on the valve to release a spray of paint, making it a quick and effective method for painting furniture, metalworking projects, siding, home improvement projects, and more. After application, it typically takes anywhere from five minutes to eight hours for spray paint to dry.

Drying time depends on several key factors, including the type of paint, material, surface texture, temperature, humidity, and air flow. Even if the surface is dry to the touch, spray paint can take about 24 hours to fully cure.

How Long Does It Take Spray Paint to Dry?

Type of Spray Paint

There are a variety of spray paint types to choose from including fast-drying, acrylic, latex, oil-based, lacquer, epoxy, and rust-preventive enamel spray paint, all of which have different drying times.

Type of Spray Paint	Average Drying Time
Fast-Drying Spray Paint	5 Minutes
Epoxy Spray Paint	30 Minutes to 1 Hour
Acrylic Spray Paint	1-2 Hours
Rust-Preventive Enamel Spray Paint	1-2 Hours
Lacquer Spray Paint	3 Hours
Latex Spray Paint	8 Hours
Oil-Based Spray Paint	8 Hours

Material and Texture

The type of material and the texture of the target surface can also affect the drying time of the spray paint. Common materials include wood, metal, and plastic, while the texture can vary between rough, smooth, porous, and nonporous.

• Wood is a go-to option for many home renovation projects, but it’s also regularly used by avid woodworkers to make furniture and decorations. Due to the porous nature of wood, after spray painting a wood surface, it will typically take about one hour to dry to the touch and about 24 hours to fully cure.
• Metal has the benefit of being nonporous, so spray paint dries quickly after it is applied. Expect to wait just 10 minutes after spray painting a metal surface for the paint to dry to the touch. However, the spray paint will still take about 24 hours to fully cure.
• Plastic is similar to metal in that it is nonporous, but the smooth surface can make it difficult for spray paint to adhere properly. On average, spray paint takes about 30 minutes to dry on a plastic surface and an additional 24 hours to fully cure.
• Rough and porous textures help the paint adhere better to the target material and soak up the spray paint. It will typically take longer for spray paint to dry on a rough, porous surface than it would on a smooth, nonporous surface.
• Smooth and nonporous textures don’t require as much paint for full coverage, so they tend to dry quicker than rough, porous textures. However, spray paint may have difficulty properly adhering to a very smooth surface, like polished metal or plastic.

Climate

The local climate, including the temperature and humidity, can influence the drying time of painting projects. Apply spray paint when the ambient temperature falls between 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity level is between 40 to 50 percent.

• Arid climates with high winds and low humidity are ideal for decreasing the drying time of spray paint. However, if the humidity is too low, the paint could crack. You can set up a humidifier to increase the humidity inside to help prevent this problem.
• Humid climates result in too much water vapor in the air and paint manufacturers often advise consumers that this will increase the drying time of paint considerably. If the humidity outdoors is too high, move the project indoors to a basement, workshop, or a garage, where you can use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity.
• Warm climates will quickly dry the spray paint, so you can add another coat or wrap up the project. However, if you wait too long, temperatures can soar, causing the paint to dry unevenly, crack, or blister. Plan your painting projects for early spring or late fall to avoid this issue.
• Cold climates are not ideal for spray painting. The cool temperatures increase the drying time and, if it’s too cold, the paint may freeze and accumulate moisture resulting in staining or mildew. Try to schedule your painting projects during the warmer months of the year when the temperatures remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Make Spray Paint Dry Faster

For those on a tight timeline, there are a few ways to speed up the process and make spray paint dry faster.

• Increase the air circulation. The better the airflow through the area, the faster the paint will dry. If you need to make spray paint dry faster, open any doors or windows and to set up one or more fans to increase the air circulation.
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity. A high level of ambient humidity can slow the drying time of the spray paint. Set up a dehumidifier in the room with the painted objects to pull moisture from the air and speed up the drying process.
• Apply a fast-drying spray paint. Sometimes you need to get a job done as quickly as possible. Investing in a fast-drying spray paint product will ensure that the paint dries to the touch in just a few minutes.

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